Spiraea plant named ‘SMSJMLG’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Spiraea  cultivar named ‘SMSJMLG’ is disclosed, characterized by a uniquely dwarf, dense plant habit, light green foliage and medium pink flowers. Plants have a strong flowering habit. The new variety is a  Spiraea , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Spiraea japonica.

Variety denomination: ‘SMSJMLG’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Spiraea cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Timothy D. Wood, in Grand Haven, Mich. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Spiraea varietiesof compact and full habit with new and better flower and leaf colors.The breeding program resulting in this new variety began during June of2007.

The parent varieties are unnamed, unpatented proprietary varieties ofSpiraea japonica. Seed was bulk collected from crossing blocks of theparent varieties, and subsequently mutated. A block of 100 mature,flowering unnamed mutated seedlings, selected from crossings of theparent varieties were pretreated with 10 grays of radiation was grownout (designated M1 generation). Seed was collected from ten plants ofthe mutated seedlings with the best foliage and dark pink flowers. Thisseed grown out (M2 generation) and selected for superior foliage, flowercoverage and flower color. The new variety was identified as apotentially interesting selection in 2009, at a greenhouse in GrandHaven, Mich.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SMSJMLG’ by softwood cuttingswas first performed during the Summer of 2009, at commercial greenhousein Grand Haven, Mich. Subsequent propagation has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMSJMLG’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SMSJMLG’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SMSJMLG’ as a new and distinct Spiraeacultivar:

-   -   1. Plants have a dwarf habit.    -   2. Plants have a uniquely tight growth habit.    -   3. Distinctive light green foliage.    -   4. Medium pink flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

As seed was bulk collected, exact parentage is unknown. It is observedhowever, the new variety exhibits the following differences from knownSpiraea japonica varieties used in the breeding program:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are much shorter and more compact.    -   2. Plants of the new variety have lighter green foliage.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMSJMLG’ can be compared to the patentedcommercial variety Spiraea japonica ‘Yan’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,615.These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however ‘SMSJMLG’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety is shorter than this comparator.    -   2. The new variety has a very tight plant habit, this comparator        is more open in habit.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are smaller than flower of this        comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SMSJMLG’ grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich. in a 2gallon container. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 2years.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of inflorescences and foliage of thenew variety.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMSJMLG’ plants grown in a commercial polygreenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. under natural lighting. Measurementswere taken during June of 2016. The plants were 2 years old in 2 galloncontainers. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 10° C. duringthe night and 18° C. to 27° C. during the day. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Spiraea japonica ‘SMSJMLG’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 15 days at approximately 22° C.-   Root description: Fibrous and fleshy, moderate to dense density    medium thickness and freely branching. Cream to brown in color, not    effectively measured with a color chart.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 2 months at 22° C.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial shrub.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years old.-   Growth habit: Dwarf shrub.-   Pot size of plant described: 2 gallon pot.-   Overall plant shape: Mounded and upright.-   Height: Approximately 21 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 43 cm.-   Growth rate: Fast.-   Plant vigor: Excellent.-   Branching characteristics: Basal branching, pinching required.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 19.2 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1.3 mm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 111.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem strength.—Strong.        -   Stem color.—Near Brown 200C bark on oldest growth near            Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Texture.—Slightly scaly.        -   Aspect.—Near straight stems held at an angle between 0-100°.-   Internode length: Average 1 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Average length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Serrate to double serrate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, silky.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, rugose.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green            N144A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green            N144B. Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A            and N144A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138B.            Fall foliage upper side: Most leaves maintain Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144A and N144A. Some leaves turning slight            Orange 24B flushed Greyed-purple 183D. Fall foliage under            side: Near RHS Green 138B, some leaves turning slight Orange            24B flushed Greyed-Purple 183D.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate-netted. Color upper side: Near            RHS Yellow-Green N144A. Color under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 2.7 mm. Diameter:            About 1 mm. Petiole color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green            144C. Petiole color lower side: Near RHS Yellow-green 144C.            Petiole Texture upper side: Smooth. Petiole Texture lower            side: Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Late Spring to early Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Single rotate flowers located on    flattened terminal corymbs.-   Flower arrangement: Single rotate flowers.-   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: Average 16.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Width.—Approximately 2.4 cm.        -   Height.—Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Quantity of flowers per lateral stem: 16.-   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant: About 1,000.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Flower form.—Rotate star shape.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright and outward.        -   Flowering habit.—Terminal.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 5 mm. Length: Approximately            5 mm. Depth: Approximately 5 mm.-   Flower other characteristics:    -   -   Persistence.—Self cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Petal:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Single whorl of five petals, not fused.        -   Petal appearance.—Silky.        -   Number of petals per flower.—5.        -   Petal shape.—Widely obovate.        -   Petal base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Tip shape.—Obtuse.        -   Length.—2.5 mm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Smooth. Lower: Smooth.-   Petal color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 67B. Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 68C and 73A, colors mixed.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73A. Lower            surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73B and 73C, colors mixed.        -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73B and 73D,            colors mixed. Lower surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 73D.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Orbicular.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.3 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-purple 73C.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Wide deltate.        -   Arrangement.—Single whorl of 5 sepals, fused into            hypanthium.        -   Number of sepals.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Base.—Truncate/fused.        -   Tip.—Cuspidate.        -   Texture.—Smooth all surfaces.        -   Color.—Upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 160A. Lower side:            Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 160A and 160C, colors mixed.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Star shaped.        -   Length.—4 mm.        -   Diameter.—4 mm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—6 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown 199A.        -   Orientation.—0-70°.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Pedical:    -   -   Length.—2.5 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 0.75 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Orientation.—30-60°.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Texture.—Smooth.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Approximately 15.        -   Filament length.—2.7 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 63C.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—Less than 0.5 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Purple 79A.        -   Pollen quantity.—Moderate.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS Greyed-White 156B.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—About 1.25 mm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 1.5 mm. Color: Near RHS            Greyed-Green, upper section Red-Purple 71B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Irregular retuse. Color: Near RHS Brown 200C.            Ovary color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Moderate amount of minute, dust-like seeds    enclosed in circular seed heads. Seed heads approximately 2 mm in    diameter, colored near Brown 200B.-   Garden performance: Good performance in a garden setting, including    tolerance for rain and wind.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Spiraea have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures    between −31° C. to 38° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Spiraea plantnamed ‘SMSJMLG’ as herein illustrated and described.